4 signs you might have hearing loss

Plus when it's worth it to see a doctor

Published: February 24, 2014 03:00 PM

Hearing loss can progress so gradually, you might not realize you're experiencing it. Heed these early warning signs so that you can get the treatment you need to stay connected and engaged in your life:

• Words seem muffled, especially in noisy places such as restaurants.

• You strain to hear conversations and grow tired of asking people to repeat themselves.

• You have trouble understanding words on TV except at high volume.

• You have trouble hearing over the telephone.

You can find many "self-tests" online to assess hearing loss. But research suggests it may be sufficient to ask yourself the simple question, "Do I have trouble hearing?" If the answer is yes, it's worth seeing a doctor. There are also 12 questions you can answer that help gauge the extent to which hearing problems are causing you difficulty and frustration.

What not to use: Screening tests done over the phone or online that ask whether you can hear specific tones. Our experts say they may not be accurate and might have no control for background noise.

If you're in the market for a hearing aid, see our hearing aid buying guide first.

—Doug Podolsky

Editor's Note:

This article appears in the March 2014 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.